Posted on 11/10/2014 8:05:10 AM PST by driftdiver
President Obama has come out in support of reclassifying internet service as a utility, a move that would allow the Federal Communications Commission to enforce more robust regulations and protect net neutrality. "To put these protections in place, I'm asking the FCC to reclassifying internet service under Title II of a law known as the Telecommunications Act," Obama says in a statement this morning. "In plain English, I'm asking [the FCC] to recognize that for most Americans, the internet has become an essential part of everyday communication and everyday life."
"The decision is still up to the FCC"
There's been a growing battle around protecting net neutrality the principle that all internet traffic, no matter what it is or where it came from, should be treated equally ever since the FCC's original protections were struck down in court earlier this year. Those protections were able to be struck down because the commission didn't make those rules in a way that it actually had authority over, so it's been trying to create new rules that it can actually enforce. It hasn't chosen to use Title II so far, but net neutrality advocates, now including President Obama, have been pushing for its use.
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
I guess the message Obama got from the election was “gotta grab stuff faster before they stop me.”
For these fascists total control is the goal.
They have no right to attempt to control individuals’ interactions that use the network known as the internet.
So if the FCC regulates the internet they will get too decide what is allowable speech on the internet.
punish non-compliant websites and people
I think we should reclassify Obama as useless and shiftless.
He once again plans to go around Congress.
As a utility, it becomes free to welfare recipients I bet. He is making the case that it is a necessity. It isn’t. You can go to a library if you really need one.
A way to regulate, to impose ever more controls. . .eventually resulting in government ownership in some way. . .
Excellent idea.
The main difference between the Internet and water or electric companies is the Internet is almost all privately owned. From top to bottom people or companies own and operate the internet.
So if its a public utility does that mean the govt gets to control Verizon?
I wonder if it will make it easier for the government to spy on people.
I don’t understand this issue very well, but Obama’s desire to exert greater control over ANYTHING should be suspect. Given his track record, any pretense of Internet regulation as a benefit to consumers must be given the greatest scrutiny. It will inevitably be a Trojan Horse for some shenanigans further down the road.
Obama, all of your dieas are sh!t, keep them to yourself.
Go away, don’t come back, you are not wanted.
Engineers and execs from Apple, eBay, Google, Hewlett-Packard and Yahoo are supporting this little nine-classroom utopia where tuition starts at $17,750 and where you wont find a single computer or screen of any sort. Also, kids are discouraged from watching television or logging on at home.
Tech execs send kids to anti-computer school
Why are these highly-paid, cutting edge technology innovators cheating their children out of a basic human right?
Absolutely. If it is a public utility that means it is part of the (a) government, with reporting requirements to assess fees, and that means tracking usage. . .the more you use the more you pay, kind of like a huge step backward (AOL back in the early days but with the government tracking you).
They will track your usage (like eleteric and gas meters do, too include websites and your posting data), and because it will be a utility, they will control web access. . .North Korea, anyone?
You are, sadly, correct.
....aaaand make the post office in charge
Gulags to be filled with disobedient enemies of the ObamaReich.
Sounds like low-hanging fruit picked to boost his popularity.
Assuming, of course, it amounts to applying “common carrier” status, and not some ulterior scheme.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.